Automation Engineer Intern

Hoffman & Hoffman • Raleigh, NC

1d

About The Position

The Automation Engineer Intern is a temporary, entry-level role for a student or recent graduate supporting the development, design, and implementation of industrial control systems for building automation projects. Under the guidance of senior engineers, the intern gains practical experience with control system design, HMI/SCADA development, PLC/DDC programming, and field commissioning to help deliver client projects. The role also provides exposure to company standards, control system architecture, software integration, and business operations while contributing to real projects.

The position supports product selection and control system drawing development, HMI/SCADA configuration, basic PLC/DDC programming, testing and commissioning, project documentation, safety compliance, and quality control. Work may include bench testing, Factory Acceptance Testing, and site startup; travel to client locations may be possible.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree (preferred) or Associate degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline; trade school certificates or equivalent technical training combined with relevant experience may also be considered.
• 0–1 years of experience in industrial automation, instrumentation and controls, PLC/DDC programming, or a related industrial engineering field.
• Basic understanding of HVAC and building automation systems (BAS).
• Ability to read electrical schematics, P&IDs, control system documentation, and network architecture drawings.
• Basic experience with HMI and SCADA platforms and ability to instantiate standard graphics, alarms, and trends.
• Basic understanding of PLC platforms and at least one industrial automation programming language, such as Ladder Logic.
• Basic understanding of industrial protocols such as Modbus, BACnet, and Ethernet/IP, and OT network design.
• Familiarity with troubleshooting techniques and tools such as simulators and multimeters for software testing and point-to-point device verification.
• Eagerness to learn new technologies and adapt to evolving engineering standards.
• Solution-oriented problem-solving mindset, including strategic debugging and knowing when to escalate issues.
• Strong attention to accuracy in technical drawings, naming conventions, and project documentation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with PLC/DDC and HMI configuration, industrial networking, and/or HVAC systems.
• Familiarity with construction site environments and field devices such as instrumentation, valves, and drives.

Responsibilities

• Assist with product selection for common automation systems and applications and support the creation of accurate control system drawings.
• Instantiate graphics and configure HMI/SCADA screens according to company standards.
• Support basic PLC and DDC programming, including tag configuration and control logic using standard templates, reusable code libraries, or custom code.
• Assist with testing, device verification, and troubleshooting during bench testing, Factory Acceptance Testing, and site startup activities.
• Assist in developing project documentation, including IO lists, Sequences of Operations, Functional Specifications, test protocols, and redline markups.
• Follow office and site safety procedures and participate in mandatory safety training, such as OSHA-10.
• Ensure document and code deliverables meet quality standards for accuracy and on-time delivery.
• Provide concise status updates and communicate technical challenges to project leads and team members.
• Travel to client locations may be possible.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree